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Bloom Where You Are Planted

Doing well wherever you are and whatever the circumstances, flourishing despite difficulties, always becoming better

Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you. Emerson

Bloom where you are planted. Proverb

There is just one life for each of us: our own. Euripides
There will always be reasons to complain. Some will always have it better than others. There is much about Life that is unfair. It is easy to wish we were in someone else’s shoes or better circumstances. The pasture is greener on the other side of the fence. Others get all the breaks? The best answer to “what if”, “if only”, wishes and complaints is to quit complaining. We need to bloom where we are planted.
Life is not so much a matter of comparison to anyone else, the norm, or society’s expectations. The true test or measurement of success is how well we do with what we have, with where we are, and how much of our potential we achieved when all is said and done. How did we fair when measured against ourselves and not against anyone or anything else? This is the same as “living up to potential” that was marked on our report cards when we were in grade school. Who determines our grade on this as adults? We are responsible for this. Others may try to do this for us, and will if we let them. Whatever we do, if it is meant to be, whatever it is; in the end; it is up to us to take charge and get it done.
We must get past unfairness, disadvantages, bad breaks, environment, parents and the laundry list of all the reasons why we “have not” instead of “have.” Instead of reasons and excuses, we must use everything as trampolines and springboards to motivate us to overcome and blossom. Instead of reasons “why not”, we transform our excuses into reasons “why to.”
Consider the person born into prosperity, lives the good life, and never overcomes anything. They exist, live off what was given them, and never contribute to anyone or anything. They waste their potential. Compare this to the person who is born with significant disadvantages, hardships or handicaps. This person overcomes; they achieve; they blossom and flourish and make a difference. They live meaningful lives. Who is the better example of successful living and the better at achieving their potential? We must take control, accept responsibility, become more accountable, and use the talents and abilities within us. If and when we do these things, we will blossom and flourish. We can and will bloom wherever we are planted if only we have the right attitude.

Challenge: It is not what you are given that determines your success. It is what you do with what you have. It is taking the seeds of your potential, planting and nourishing them and making the most of all possibilities that come your way. Success comes within before it happens outside. It is a matter of journey and not a destination. It comes more from achieving a success oriented attitude within than any measurement of success on the outside.

Wisdom: Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her: but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game. Voltaire

Spiritual: (NIV)
You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Psalm 128:2

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Galatians 5:22-23

May the righteous be glad and rejoice before God, may they be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:3

God is the absolute authority of how we are really doing. He designed and made us. It is he and only he who truly knows what we are capable of. We are made in his image. Some of him is in each of us. It is only when we have a personal and interactive relationship with God that we will blossom and became the beautiful creation he designed us to be. We cannot truly flourish without the spiritually nourishing power that comes only from God.

Prayer: Help me to blossom and flourish the way you designed me to do.